Study on the effectiveness of prefabricated cage system reinforcement in columns

Abstract

Abstract The concrete is the primary vertical load bearing component in a reinforced concrete column whereas the steel cage provides additional vertical load carrying capacity along with the confinement of core concrete. The research paper will focus on the performance of Prefabricated Cage System (PCS) Reinforcement in square columns. Eight columns were casted and tested, out of which two are rebar reinforced columns and six are PCS reinforced columns. There were two test groups, each group containing one rebar column and three PCS columns. In this study work is done to compare the performance of a PCS reinforced column to a rebar reinforced column, in addition comparing PCS cages of differently sized grid openings. The objective is to theoretically, experimentally, and numerically investigate the PCS column for its load carrying capacity and displacement capacity. From the results it is observed that as the size of opening of a PCS reinforced column increase, the load carrying capacity increases as the concrete running through the openings can strengthen the connection. Hence to improve the effectiveness of the PCS columns the spacing of openings should be increased. Further, the stiffness and energy absorption are more in rebar reinforced column compared to all PCS columns.